As the country continues to wrestle with the fourth wave of COVID-19, the number of people getting vaccinated has also increased. This is owing to the fact that the government, through donations, has availed free vaccines to the general populace.
The COVID-19 vaccine is not only available in hospitals but in institutions such as The Technical University of Kenya.
The vaccine, which is available to both students and staff members, is a huge step towards preventing the spread of Covid-19. However, a significant portion of the student body would rather not get vaccinated, even with the service brought so close to them.
There have been a number of myths surrounding the vaccine since its release in Kenya in March, 2021. Some of these myths are mostly due to misinformation and lack of facts, but even as time passes, the myths persist.
Ruth Cherotich, an Electrical Engineering student at TU-K, gives her mistrust of the government as a reason not to get the vaccine. “What if they are giving us a fake vaccine? I would rather stay unvaccinated, than get a fake one,” she says. Evans Odhiambo, a Business and IT student shares similar concerns, adding the most recent turn of events concerning the donated vaccines. “If the UK does not recognize vaccinated people, even those from countries they’ve donated the vaccine to, I doubt the vaccine is any good. I think I will wait it out,” he says.
Other students have far wilder thoughts on the vaccine, something that could be narrowed down to paranoia. Natasha Mueni, a Food Science and Technology student, maintains that nobody could possibly know the future side effects of the vaccine. “For all we know, five years from now, vaccinated people could sprout tails,” she jokes. “I think it’s safer to wait and see,” she adds.
However, there are students who have taken the step to get vaccinated, and have taken advantage of the free vaccine being available right inside the school. “I did my research concerning the Covid-19 vaccine, and thought it a good idea to get the jab. I was excited once I discovered that the service was available at school. I’m now waiting for the second dose,” Ian Mitau, a Civil Engineering student says. Anna Nyamai, a Pure Math student shares her initial fear of the side effects saying, “I heard the scary side effects that people out there were sharing and I was afraid to get vaccinated. Turns out they were just exaggerations. I did my research about the immediate side effects and turns out everything I’d heard was exaggerated. Thankfully, the vaccination services are available within school.”
There is also a significant student population that has no idea that the vaccination is available within school, but were elated to find out the service is accessible so close to them.
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